South Africa To Withdraw Staff From Embassy in Egypt

Just as the South African government said it will immediately begin the withdrawal of all non-essential personal from its embassy in Cairo. Egypt’s interim president, Adli Mansour,  on Thursday called on the Muslim Brotherhood to take part in a broad national dialogue, making a peace overture to the Islamist group as authorities launched a crackdown against its leaders.

The South African government will immediately begin the withdrawal of all non-essential personal from its embassy in Cairo, the international relations department said on Thursday.

“All non-essential personnel and families attached to the South African embassy in Cairo will be temporarily withdrawn until the situation allows for their return,” Clayson Monyela spokesperson for department said in a statement.

He said the embassy would, however, remain open and would continue rendering consular assistance to South Africans in Egypt.

The Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi, who was overthrown by the army after unprecedented mass protests to demand that he should step down, was being held at the Defence Ministry.

“The Muslim Brotherhood is invited to participate in the political life and will not be excluded. If they answer the call, they will be welcomed,” Mansour said.

Prosecutors issued an arrest warrant for Brotherhood leader Mohammed Badie, and his deputy Khayrat al-Shater. They are under investigation for inciting the killing of peaceful protesters, the official Middle East News Agency reported.

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